Sealing system for an oven cavity

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a sealing system for an oven cavity (10) of an oven, in particular of a cooking oven. The sealing system includes an outer steam-tight gasket (20) attachable or attached at a front frame (26), which encloses a cavity frame (12) of the oven cavity, which in turn encloses a front opening of said oven cavity (10). The sealing system includes an inner heat resistant gasket (18) attachable or attached at the cavity frame (12) and/or at the front frame (26), so that the inner heat resistant gasket (18) is aligned at least partially at the cavity frame (12) and at an inner panel (16) of an oven door (14) for closing the oven cavity (10) in a closed state of said oven door (14). The sealing system includes a gap sealing (19) arrangeable or arranged within a gap between the cavity frame (12) and the front frame (26), so that the gap sealing (19) encloses completely or partially the cavity frame (12). The inner heat resistant gasket (18) and the outer steam-tight gasket (20) are attachable or attached in such a way, that said inner heat resistant gasket (18) and outer steam-tight gasket (20) are aligned at the inner panel (16) of the oven door (14) at least in the closed state of said oven door (14).

The present invention relates to a sealing system for an oven cavity. Inparticular, the present invention relates to a sealing system for anoven cavity of a cooking oven. Further, the present invention relates toan oven, in particular a cooking oven.

There are different types of sealings between an oven door and an ovencavity. For high temperatures gaskets made of fibreglass are used. Saidfibreglass gaskets are suitable for pyrolytic cleaning functions. Forsteam or high humidity gaskets made of silicone are used. Said siliconegaskets are suitable for steam cooking functions.

However, the fibreglass gaskets are not suitable for ovens with highhumidity, while the silicone gaskets are not suitable for oven with hightemperature.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sealing system foran oven cavity, which allows processes with high temperature and highhumidity, wherein the environment of said oven cavity is protectedagainst high temperature as well as high humidity.

The object is achieved by the sealing system for an oven cavityaccording to claim 1.

According to the present invention a sealing system for an oven cavityof an oven, in particular of a cooking oven, is provided, wherein:

-   -   the sealing system includes an outer steam-tight gasket        attachable or attached at a front frame, which encloses a cavity        frame of the oven cavity, which in turn encloses a front opening        of said oven cavity,    -   the sealing system includes an inner heat resistant gasket        attachable or attached at the cavity frame and/or the front        frame, so that the inner heat resistant gasket is aligned at        least partially at the cavity frame and at an inner panel of an        oven door for closing the oven cavity in a closed state of said        oven door,    -   the sealing system includes a gap sealing arrangeable or        arranged within a gap between the cavity frame and the front        frame, so that the gap sealing encloses completely or partially        the cavity frame, and    -   the inner heat resistant gasket and the outer steam-tight gasket        are attachable or attached in such a way, that said inner heat        resistant gasket and outer steam-tight gasket are aligned at the        inner panel of the oven door at least in the closed state of        said oven door.

The core of the present invention is the sealing system with twodifferent gaskets, i.e. the outer steam-tight gasket and the inner heatresistant gasket. The outer steam-tight gasket provides an outer sealingof the oven cavity, while the inner heat resistant gasket provides aninner sealing of said oven cavity. The complete circumference of thefront opening of the oven cavity is sealed by the outer steam-tightgasket. Further, a part of the circumference or the completecircumference of the front opening of the oven cavity is sealed by theinner heat resistant gasket. The inner heat resistant gasket provides athermal shield for the outer steam-tight gasket. The gap sealing betweenthe cavity frame and the front frame ensures that water or humiditycannot enter the interior of an oven compartment.

In particular, the inner heat resistant gasket and the outer steam-tightgasket are formed as separate gaskets. Preferably said inner heatresistant gasket and outer steam-tight gasket are arrangeable orarranged at a distance from each other. By this way, the air chamberbetween the inner heat resistant gasket and the outer steam-tight gasketin the closed state of the oven door acts as thermal insulator.

Preferably, the outer steam-tight gasket is made of silicone, graphite,ceramic material or the like.

In contrast, the inner heat resistant gasket is preferably made offibreglass or any other material heat resistant up to 500° C.

Further, the inner heat resistant gasket may be clampable between thecavity frame and a front frame enclosing said cavity frame.

Moreover, the outer steam-tight gasket may have an elongatedcross-section, wherein the longitudinal axis of said elongatedcross-section extends perpendicular to the plane of the inner glasspanel in the mounted state of the outer steam-tight gasket and in theclosed state of the oven door.

According to an embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket isattachable or attached at the inner panel of the oven door, wherein atleast one contact line is formed between said inner heat resistantgasket and the cavity frame in the closed state of the oven door.

According to another embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket isattachable or attached at the cavity frame and/or front the frame,wherein at least one contact line is formed between said inner heatresistant gasket and the inner panel of the oven door in the closedstate of the oven door.

For example, the inner heat resistant gasket is attachable or attachedat the inner panel of the oven door or at the cavity frame,respectively, by clips, bolts, screws or the like.

Moreover, the outer steam-tight gasket is attached or attachable at thefront frame enclosing the cavity frame of the oven cavity.

Optionally, the outer steam-tight gasket is coated by a heat resistantlayer. For example, said heat resistant layer is made of the same or asimilar material as the inner heat resistant gasket.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to an oven, in particular acooking oven, comprising at least one sealing system mentioned above,wherein:

-   -   the oven comprises at least one oven cavity,    -   the oven cavity includes a cavity frame enclosing a front        opening of said oven cavity,    -   the oven cavity includes a front frame enclosing the cavity        frame of said oven cavity,    -   the front sides of the cavity frame and the front frame extend        within one plane,    -   the oven comprises at least one oven door for closing the front        opening of said oven cavity, and    -   at least that portion of the inner side of the oven door        arranged in front of the cavity frame and front frame in the        closed state of the oven door extends within one plane.

In particular, the inner side of the oven door extends within one singleplane.

Preferably, the cavity frame and the front frame are thermally isolatedfrom each other.

Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth inthe appended claims.

The present invention will be described in further detail with referenceto the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of a sealing systemfor an oven cavity according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention,

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention,

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention,

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention,

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention,

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity according to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention, and

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity according to a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of a sealing systemfor an oven cavity 10 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

The oven cavity 10 includes a cavity frame 12 enclosing a front openingof said oven cavity 10. Further, a front frame 26 encloses completely orpartially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by an ovendoor 14. Said oven door includes an inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes an inner heat resistant gasket 18 and anouter steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is clampedbetween the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed stateof the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged betweenthe cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16.The outer steam-tight gasket 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12.The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of thecavity frame 12.

Preferably, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 has an elongatedcross-section, wherein the longitudinal axis of said elongatedcross-section extends perpendicular to the plane of the inner glasspanel 16 in the closed state of the oven door.

The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at the inner glass panel 16of the oven door 14 by fixing elements 22. For example, the inner heatresistant gasket 18 is fixed at the inner glass panel 16 by clips,bolts, screws or the like. The fixing element 22 is representedsymbolically by two parallel dashes. In the closed state of the ovendoor 14, a contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistantgasket 18 and an inner side of the cavity frame 12. The inner heatresistant gasket 18 extends partially or completely along the inner sideof the cavity frame 12. In the first embodiment, the inner heatresistant gasket 18 has an oval cross-section.

For example, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is made of fibreglass,while the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is made of silicone.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity 10 according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the frontopening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completelyor partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by theoven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and theouter steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is clampedbetween the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed stateof the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged betweenthe cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16.The outer steam-tight gasket 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12.The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of thecavity frame 12.

The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at the inner glass panel 16of the oven door 14 by fixing elements 22, e.g. by clips, bolts, screwsor the like. In the second embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket18 has a triangular cross-section, wherein two sides of said triangularcross-section are concave. In the closed state of the oven door 14, twocontact lines 24 are formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18and the cavity frame 12. Both two contact lines 24 are arranged at oneside of the triangular cross-section. The one contact line 24 is formedbetween the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the front side of thecavity frame 12, while the other contact line 24 is formed between theinner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner side of the cavity frame12. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 extends partially or completelyalong the inner side and front side of the cavity frame 12. The concavesides of the triangular cross-section are aligned at the cavity frame 12and at the inner glass panel 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity 10 according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the frontopening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completelyor partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by theoven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and theouter steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is clampedbetween the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed stateof the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged betweenthe cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16.The outer steam-tight 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12. Theouter steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of the cavityframe 12.

In this example, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at theinner side of the cavity frame 12 by fixing elements 22, e.g. by clips,bolts, screws or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the inner heatresistant gasket 18 may be fixed at the front side of the front frame 26by said fixing elements 22. In the third embodiment, the inner heatresistant gasket 18 has an elongated cross-section. The longitudinalaxis of said elongated cross-section extends perpendicular to the planeof the inner glass panel 16. In the closed state of the oven door 14,one contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18and the inner glass panel 16. The contact line 24 is formed at the frontside of the inner heat resistant gasket 18. The inner heat resistantgasket 18 extends partially or completely along the inner side of thecavity frame 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the frontopening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completelyor partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by theoven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and theouter steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is clampedbetween the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed stateof the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged betweenthe cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16.The outer steam-tight gasket 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12.

The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of thecavity frame 12.

In this example, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at thefront side of the cavity frame 12 by fixing elements 22, e.g. by clips,bolts, screws or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the inner heatresistant gasket 18 may be fixed at the front side of the front frame 26by said fixing elements 22. In the fourth embodiment, the inner heatresistant gasket 18 has a substantially rectangular cross-section. Inthis example, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is hollow. In theclosed state of the oven door 14, one contact line 24 is formed betweenthe inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner glass panel 16. Thecontact line 24 is formed at the front side of the inner heat resistantgasket 18. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 extends partially orcompletely along the inner side of the cavity frame 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity 10 according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the frontopening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completelyor partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by theoven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and theouter steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight 20 is clamped betweenthe cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed state of theoven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged between thecavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16. Theouter steam-tight gasket 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12. Theouter steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of the cavityframe 12.

The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at an inner side of theouter steam-tight gasket 20 by fixing elements 22. For example, theinner heat resistant gasket 18 is connected to the outer steam-tightgasket 20 by metal clips, rivets, high temperature glue or by stitching.In the fifth embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 has asubstantially trapezoid cross-section. In the closed state of the ovendoor 14, one contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistantgasket 18 and the inner glass panel 16, while another contact line 24 isformed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner side ofthe cavity frame 12. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 extendspartially or completely along the inner side and front side of thecavity frame 12. The trapezoid cross-section of the inner heat resistantgasket 18 includes two concave sides, wherein said concave sides arealigned at the cavity frame 12 and at the inner glass panel 16.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity 10 according to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the frontopening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completelyor partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by theoven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and theouter steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is clampedbetween the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed stateof the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged betweenthe cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16.The outer steam-tight gasket 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12.The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of thecavity frame 12.

The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at an inner side of theouter steam-tight gasket 20. In the sixth embodiment, the inner heatresistant gasket 18 has the substantially trapezoid cross-section. Inthe closed state of the oven door 14, the one contact line 24 is formedbetween the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner glass panel 16,while the other contact line 24 is formed between the inner heatresistant gasket 18 and the inner side of the cavity frame 12. The innerheat resistant gasket 18 extends partially or completely along the innerside and front side of the cavity frame 12.

In this embodiment, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is coated by a hightemperature layer. For example, said high temperature layer is made ofthe same or a similar material as the inner heat resistant gasket 18.The high temperature layer may comprise a high temperature coating,glass coating or glass fibre coating.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing systemfor the oven cavity 10 according to a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the frontopening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completelyor partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by theoven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and theouter steam-tight gasket 20. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 isclamped between the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In theclosed state of the oven door 14, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 isarranged between the cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the innerglass panel 16. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 encloses completelythe cavity frame 12. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is aligned atthe outer side of the cavity frame 12. The cross-section of the innerheat resistant gasket 18 may be circular, rectangular or of an arbitraryprofile.

Additionally, the sealing system according to the seventh embodimentincludes a gap sealing 19 filling the gap between the cavity frame 12and the front frame 26. The gap sealing 19 ensures that water orhumidity cannot enter the interior of an oven compartment.

The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is attached at the front frame 26enclosing the cavity frame 12 of the oven cavity 10. The cavity frame 12and the front frame 16 are thermally isolated from each other. Thus, theouter steam-tight gasket 20 is exposed to a relative low temperatureduring a pyrolytic cleaning process. In this example, the cross-sectionof the outer steam-tight gasket 20 has a special profile. In general,the cross-section of the outer steam-tight gasket 20 may be circular,rectangular or of an arbitrary profile.

The sealing system with the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the outersteam-tight gasket 20 is suitable for a cooking oven with pyrolyticcleaning function and steam cooking function. The inner heat resistantgasket 18 acts as protection for the outer steam-tight gasket 20. Theenergy loss during the pyrolytic cleaning function is low.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the present invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beaffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 oven cavity-   12 cavity frame-   14 oven door-   16 inner glass panel-   18 inner heat resistant gasket-   19 gap sealing-   20 outer steam-tight gasket-   22 fixing element-   24 contact line-   26 front frame

1. A sealing system for an oven cavity of a cooking oven, comprising: anouter steam-tight gasket attachable or attached at a front frame, whichencloses a cavity frame of the oven cavity, which in turn encloses afront opening of said oven cavity, an inner heat resistant gasketattachable or attached at the cavity frame and/or at the front frame, sothat the inner heat resistant gasket is aligned at least partially atthe cavity frame and at an inner panel of an oven door for closing theoven cavity in a closed state of said oven door, and a gap sealingarrangeable or arranged within a gap between the cavity frame and thefront frame, so that the gap sealing encloses completely or partiallythe cavity frame, the inner heat resistant gasket and the outersteam-tight gasket being attachable or attached in such a way that saidinner heat resistant gasket and said outer steam-tight gasket arealigned at the inner panel of the oven door at least in the closed stateof said oven door.
 2. The sealing system according to claim 1, whereinthe inner heat resistant gasket and the outer steam-tight gasket areformed as separate gaskets, wherein said inner heat resistant gasket andouter steam-tight gasket are arrangeable or arranged at a distance fromeach other.
 3. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein theouter steam-tight gasket is made of silicone, graphite, ceramic materialor the like.
 4. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein theinner heat resistant gasket is made of fibreglass or any other materialheat resistant up to 500° C.
 5. The sealing system according to claim 1,wherein the inner heat resistant gasket is clampable between the cavityframe and the front frame enclosing said cavity frame.
 6. The sealingsystem according to claim 1, wherein the outer steam-tight gasket has anelongated cross-section having a longitudinal axis that extendsperpendicular to a plane of the inner panel in a mounted state of theouter steam-tight gasket and in the closed state of the oven door. 7.The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the inner heatresistant gasket is attachable or attached at the inner panel of theoven door, wherein at least one contact line is formed between saidinner heat resistant gasket and the cavity frame in the closed state ofthe oven door.
 8. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein theinner heat resistant gasket is attachable or attached at the cavityframe and/or the front frame, wherein at least one contact line isformed between said inner heat resistant gasket and the inner panel ofthe oven door in the closed state of the oven door.
 9. The sealingsystem according to claim 6, wherein the inner heat resistant gasket isattachable or attached at the inner panel of the oven door or at thecavity frame, respectively, by clips, bolts, screws or the like.
 10. Thesealing system according to claim 1, wherein the outer steam-tightgasket is attached or attachable at the front frame enclosing the cavityframe of the oven cavity.
 11. The sealing system according to claim 1,wherein the outer steam-tight gasket is coated by a heat resistantlayer.
 12. A cooking oven comprising at least one sealing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein: the oven comprises at least one ovencavity, the oven cavity includes a cavity frame enclosing a frontopening of said oven cavity, the oven cavity includes a front frameenclosing the cavity frame of said oven cavity, front sides of thecavity frame and the front frame extend within one plane, the ovencomprises at least one oven door for closing the front opening of saidoven cavity, and at least that portion of an inner side of the oven doorarranged in front of the cavity frame and front frame in a closed stateof the oven door extends within one plane.
 13. The oven according toclaim 12, wherein the inner side of the oven door extends within onesingle plane.
 14. The oven according to claim 12, wherein the cavityframe and the front frame are thermally isolated from each other.
 15. Acooking oven comprising: a cavity frame enclosing a front opening of anoven cavity, a door adapted to close the front opening of the ovencavity in a closed state thereof, a front frame enclosing the cavityframe in a vicinity of said front opening, an outer steam-tight gasketclamped between the cavity frame and the front frame, said steam-tightgasket extending completely around the front opening of the oven cavityand sealing against an inner glass panel of said door in the closedstate thereof, and an inner heat-resistant gasket formed separately fromthe outer steam-tight gasket and extending at least partially along thefront opening of the oven cavity, the steam-tight gasket being adaptedto provide a heat seal between the cavity frame and an inner glass panelof said door in said closed state, said heat-resistant gasket beingeither: a) fixed to said cavity frame and extends forward thereof sothat in the closed state of said door the heat-resistant gasket isbrought into contact with the inner glass panel along a contact linetherebetween to provide said seal between the cavity frame and the innerglass panel; b) fixed to the inner glass panel of said door and extendsrearward therefrom so that in the closed state of said door theheat-resistant gasket is brought into contact with the cavity framealong a contact line therebetween to provide said seal between thecavity frame and the inner glass panel; or c) fixed to said steam-tightgasket such that in the closed state of said door said heat-resistantgasket contacts each of the cavity frame and the glass panel of saiddoor along respective contact lines disposed respectively therebetween,which cooperate to provide said seal between the cavity frame and theinner glass panel; wherein the inner heat-resistant gasket thermallyshields the outer steam-tight gasket in the closed state of said doorwhen the cooking oven is in operation to cook food within the ovencavity.
 16. The cooking oven according to claim 15, the cavity frame andthe front frame being thermally isolated from one another, and whereinthe outer steam-tight gasket and the inner heat-resistant gasket arearranged a distance from one another thereby defining an air chamberthat forms a thermal insulation therebetween in the closed state of saiddoor.
 17. The cooking oven according to claim 16, said outer steam-tightgasket being made of silicone, said inner heat-resistant gasket beingmade of fiberglass.